McErlean nets his second series win

McErlean nets his second series win

18 February 2015

JOSH McErlean won the second round of the 2015 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland at Kirkistown. 

Eight Juniors lined up for the six stages laid on by the North Armagh Motor Club, for what proved to be a great event, the junior’s for the first time doing two stages back to back.

McErlean, who also won the first round of the championships, started at number one, the 15 year-old with a new co-driver, Damien Duffin.

The 107 driver took a 4.5 second lead on stage one, but the expected battle with Daniel Harper who ran him so close on round one, never materialised, when a drive-shaft broke on stage one and the 14 year-old was stranded.

He re-joined the event for practice recording a fastest time on stage three, but it was major blow for his title ambitions.

It was never going to be simply a two-horse race, however, as Michael McGarrity started in a new car, the ex Alex Vassallo Citroen C1 which has won 27 junior events in the UK. This new car, enabled the 16 year-old Belfast driver to once again to show his ability and he closed to within 2.5 seconds of McErlean with two stages to go. 

However, a moment running wide on stage five and he lost time on the final loop ping to third, just 15 seconds off the winner. It was a good showing from Michael, however. 

Snatching that second place was 14 year-old Peter Bennett, the Loughgall driver with Arthur Kierans alongside in the Citroen C1. He set a scorching fastest time on the final stage. Peter had dropped some time on the slippery opening loop, but really came back in the later stages to grab that second place, and has put himself right in the title race.

Philip White, the 16 year-old in his Nissan Micra, was lying fourth going into the final two stages, but it had been a day of drama for the Crumlin driver and co-driver Martin McGarrity. They started well with a good time on stage one, but a major high speed shunt into the barrier on stage three, and were lucky to continue. 

It all came to a sad end however on stage five, locking up into a chicane, striking a lorry tyre and damaging the front suspension.

That left 16 year-old Jack Cairns taking fourth place in his 107 Peugeot. Jack had experienced driver Andrew Purcell in the passenger seat, and his times improved a lot from round one, but he did have a few dramatic spins along the way.

In fifth place was series newcomer Ruairi Bell in his Superdrive Nissan Micra. He had last year’s champion co-driver Liam Regan alongside and after a steady start, also picked up the pace.

The 15 year-old made the trip over from London for the event and will for the next round, his father Harvey Bell having been a top co-driver in the past.

That wasn’t all as 16 year-old Bailie McClinton arrived at Kirkistown with the ex-William Creighton Citroen C1. Despite limited practice in the car the Broughshane driver was fifth after stage two, but retired on the third stage with a mechanical problem.